If studying doesn’t keep you up at night, the thought of an upcoming exam just might. An imminent test may cause butterflies in your stomach, as you may wonder if you have what it takes to pass an exam.

To help you on the road to success, we are offering some helpful tips on how to effectively study for a fast-approaching exam.

Study with a Classmate

It never hurts to study with a classmate or group in the run-up to your exams. This will allow you to talk through topics if one of you doesn’t understand, whilst ensuring you verbally communicate a textbook so you not only understand the text, but remember it.

Take a Course

There is no harm in attending a study course to brush up on your knowledge in the run-up to an exam. For example, many student registered nurse anesthetists turn to Valley Anesthesia, an AANA approved CEU, to prepare for the National Certifying Exam. So, whatever your core subject, look for a course that can help you pass an upcoming test.

Drink and Eat Well

Bad foods can lead to negative moods, so ensure you drink plenty of water and eat fruit and vegetables in preparation for your exams. Not only will you have more energy to revise, but you will approach the exam with a more positive outlook. What’s more, fruits such as apples and blueberries are believed to reduce the toxin levels in your bloodstream and can improve your memory function.

Take a Break

Both your mind and body will need rest if you want to pass an exam. You must therefore learn to take a break in between studying so you are physically, mentally and emotionally prepared for the test. So, cut yourself some slack and treat yourself to an early night, a couple of drinks with friends or a few hours in front of the TV.

Color Association

Use color to memorise important information that may come up in the test. By writing facts down on colour cards or using different coloured pens, you could trigger your memory when taking the examination. For instance, you could write one topic in red and another in blue – and when a question comes up, you can cast our mind back to what colour you used, and you may remember the answer.

Read Aloud

You might be reading the words but you may not be absorbing the information. It is therefore a good idea to read the words aloud so you can listen to every word you say, which could help you to understand the topic and remember the information, because you are actively reading the text.

So, if you are worried about an upcoming final or another exam, we encourage you to join a study group, read textbooks aloud, take a study course, use colour association, eat well and take a well-earned break. You can guarantee it will make all the difference to your final mark. Good luck!